Tinkoff-Saxo confirms Ivan Basso to join team

Tinkoff-Saxo announced Tuesday that Ivan Basso will join its team for the 2015 season. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com (File).

Tinkoff-Saxo officially announced on Tuesday that Ivan Basso will join the team in 2015. The two-time Giro d’Italia champion signed a two-year contract with the Russian-registered WorldTour team.

“With Alberto [Contador], Peter [Sagan], Rafal [Majka], and now Ivan, we will become the number one team,” said owner Oleg Tinkov. “I have always liked Ivan; he was at lunch with me in 2007, [and] I would have liked him to be with my team already then. Now I’m happy to have him in our team because I know how serious and dedicated he is. I believe that he can be an important asset for conquering the Pink Jersey at Giro.”

The 36-year old Italian will become an important part of Tinkoff-Saxo’s 2015 squad, bringing more than 15 years of professional experience to the team.

“I’ve signed a two-year contract with Tinkoff-Saxo,” said Basso. “I’m really impressed by Oleg Tinkov’s project. It’s the best team in the world, and I’m proud to be a part of that.

“I will start from scratch with the determination and desire of a new professional, but with the head and experience of a veteran.”